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Q: if you had to do surgery, would you trust the Chinese hospitals?
12 years 19 weeks ago in Health & Safety - China
This is a good question but I am sure that it is the nightmare question for many. If it were an extreme emergency, a matter of life or death, and I have seen that happen, then I suppose one would have no choice in the matter, the only other choice being so ... well ... ultimate. If it were for elective surgery and if the surgery could be deferred, then perhaps yes, I might consider Hong Kong or the States.
If it were for non-invasive emergency treatment, such as chemotherapy, the better Chinese hospitals have a good track record with such.
Without derailing the topic, because this is a very, very valid question, all should familiarize themselves with the hospital situation in the cities where they live or work. I am in a smaller, provincial city and the choice is not great. The military hospital, which is state-of-the-art, is closed to foreigners. The No. 1 Hospital generally speaking is excellent and on a par with most Western hospitals. The local hospital is suitable only for minor, non-life threatening matters.
This is a matter that every expat here should consider with care.
In one word - NO.
Most Chinese "doctors", and I use quotes because most of them are really TCM Shamans or witch-doctors, aren't capable of providing actual medical care.
A lot of Chinese think that "cutting them open" will let their soul escape from their body, so they try to avoid it. Which is why a lot of TCM is about drinking tea and eating endangered animals. It's not science or actual medicine.
So no. I don't trust Chinese hospitals or medicine.
My wife had kidney stones. Chinese doctors told her she was going to die in 6 months because of blah blah blah.. Her yin was out of alignment with her yang. Her this that or something was wrong.
In all actuality, stupid was proved wrong. Chinese TCM is a joke and is useless witchdoctor crap.
My wife went and had her kidney stones removed by a COMPETANT western doctor, and wow! She's fine! She didn' die! Amazing!
Chinese doctors will give you and IV of antibiotics for everything. Ignore them. They are unskilled charlatans that baically practice a form of witchcraft.
Western medicine actually works. Chinese medicine is a crock of $H!t.
bigkrishna:
MrTibbles.... there is no match to the modern science, we treat diseases at molecular or even at atomic level, those traditional medicine crap was based on beliefs not truth or research...hehe i totally agree with you, as for your wife, thank God you didn't listen to those doctors, kidney stones is common, a simple surgery put you back on track to a normal healthy life.. what is that stupid thing talking about yin yang, energy disbalance junk? are they are on crack or what?....lol
From what I've heard about Chinese hospitals, no. Not because I believe they aren't capable, but because of the bribing thing. What if you don't give enough? What if you are unconscious and can't?
If I am alert and capable, I would make every attempt to get out of China for medical treatment.
I fully agree with the opinion expressed by 981977405 on his post above, and I have done exactly that too. I am luckier in a way, here the Military Hospital will treat foreigners who have money to pay a large deposit in advance. I have received treatment there.
Also, I have visited our No 1 Hospital too, have done some dental work, and had some moles removed. Both times they did excellent work, and very, very cheap Vs western standards.
Also, some local Ex-Pats had surgeries perform on them, ulcers and apendiceptomies. To me, it will depend on the situation and time available. If serious and an emergency, well do it here. If had time, go back home.
This brings me to another important point. Many of us are totally not prepared to face a sudden emergency. Nothing done to convey our wishes and expectations to doctors, hospitals and authorities when facing an emergency, or what to do with our remains if death occurs. Locally some have prepared a short statement in English, translated to Chinese below, and signed and right thumbprint also, two close friends also signed as witnesses, and both have copies with instructions to bring to hospital in case of an emergency and give to doctors or authorities, and keep a copy with you near passport. In this document you clearly state what you do not wish done to you, orgarn donation if you want it or not, and either cremate or burial, here or to be send back home. It will insure that what you want will be done, and not either wait for ages for others to give authorizations, or something done you did not want.
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